Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Northern Ireland. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see in Northern Ireland, our Northern Ireland travel guide tells you what NOT to do so you can avoid making these common mistakes.
Don’t Worry About the Locals
The locals you will meet when visiting Northern Ireland are so much fun. They have so much spirit and love to rib and joke with tourists. They really want to make sure you have a good time in Northern Ireland and may share with you a few bad words in the local dialect. Don’t be offended; it’s all in good fun! And don’t be surprised if you can’t understand the accent at first, it does take a bit of practice to understand the locals.
Don’t Forget to Buy the Next Round
The locals of Northern Ireland are so friendly, in fact, that you just might find yourself the recipient of a round of drinks on the house or on the locals. If that’s the case, don’t forget to reciprocate and buy the next round.
Don’t Be Scared to Rent a Car
Northern Ireland is a small country; you can see the whole thing if you have your own rental car to get around. The Causeway Coastal road is not to be missed. Having a car lets you explore at your own pace and set your own itinerary so you can see as many, or as few, castles as you’d like. If you do decide to drive in Northern Ireland, you should know that the road distances are measured in miles, not meters. And don’t drive in the bus lanes! They will track you down and send you a fine!
Don’t Skip Public Transportation
If you’re truly worried about driving on the left, you can see quite a bit with public transportation in Northern Ireland. Buses will take you almost anywhere you want to go. But buy your ticket before your board, or you’ll pay a premium rate.
Don’t Forget About Northern Ireland Tours
We don’t always advocate for guided tours, but there are some pretty good Northern Ireland tours, especially if you want to tour some of the whiskey distilleries. You can sit back and enjoy the view while someone else drives and you’ll have a tour guide to give you an overview of the different areas and cities in Northern Ireland.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Group Tours
Don’t Claim to Be Irish
In the States, many of us probably have some Irish heritage, but when visiting Northern Ireland, don’t claim to be Irish unless you were born on the island. It’s not worth mentioning and will likely ruffle a few feathers if you are running around claiming to be Irish.
Don’t Talk Politics or Religion
Northern Ireland has a complicated history and it’s worth reading up on it a bit before your trip to Northern Ireland. The “Troubles” are the most recent conflict in the region and ended around 1998, so the history is fresh. A foreigner’s perspective on politics and religion is generally not appreciated. If someone else brings it up, it’s best to remain neutral. When it comes to the name of the country, Northern Ireland is the most politically correct way to refer to the country. It is not the same country as Ireland!
Northern Ireland has many cool murals and street art; much of it has a political theme, and heavy subject matters, so don’t be disrespectful when visiting the murals. One of the best Northern Ireland tours is the Black Cab Tour of the Troubles; you can learn a lot about the history and the meaning behind the murals.
Marching Season in Northern Ireland runs from April through August and includes many political marches. The heaviest period is in June and July, and you might want to avoid Belfast at that time. It’s not necessarily dangerous; they are just very politically charged and not a place for tourists to get involved. Marches happen throughout the year, so it’s helpful to do some research before visiting Northern Ireland.
Don’t Worry About Safety
If you grew up in the 80s, you may think of Northern Ireland as a dangerous place. Belfast was once very dangerous to visit, with frequent bombings and assassinations. However, that’s no longer the case. Northern Ireland is very safe to visit and is often rated as one of the safest places to visit in the UK.
In Belfast, like any city, you might run into large groups of intoxicated youngsters, so you probably want to steer clear of any trouble with them. But that’s not unique to Belfast.
Don’t Forget To Pack for Northern Ireland
- You’ll be doing a lot of walking when you visit Northern Ireland, so make sure you have good walking shoes so you don’t get sore feet!
- It doesn’t always rain in Northern Ireland, but it’s always possible, so a good raincoat and travel umbrella are a must when packing for your Northern Ireland vacation.
- You will need British Pound Sterling to spend when visiting Northern Ireland. They are not on the Euro here!
- Don’t bring a European power adapter; you need the one used in Britain with the three rectangular pins in a triangle shape.
Don’t Worry About Eating Well in Northern Ireland
The food in Northern Ireland is more than just potatoes. There are tons of great pubs and restaurants with really good food, especially in Belfast. We’ve always enjoyed the fresh seafood served in Northern Ireland. From mussels to oysters to salmon and more, the seafood here is always fresh.
In Belfast, the Cathedral Quarter and St. Georges Market (on the weekends) are both great places to find delicious food and drink. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the pub culture of Belfast, especially when there’s live music.
Wolters World Eats has the Best Things to Eat in Northern Ireland
Don’ts of Belfast
Belfast is the largest of cities in Northern Ireland, so it should definitely be on your Northern Ireland travel itinerary. Visit Belfast has several great itinerary ideas for your next trip!
- Don’t Expect the “Irish feel” like you get in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has a different vibe, especially in Belfast.
- Don’t expect to find “Jack and Rose” at the Belfast Titanic Museum. The actual Titanic ship was built in Belfast, so the museum is a great place to learn about it. But don’t expect the Hollywood version!
- Don’t think Titanic Belfast is the only thing to do in Belfast! Some other worthwhile Belfast attractions include:
- The MAC Belfast (Metropolitan Arts Centre)
- Belfast Castle
- Hiking in the hills above Belfast
- The Ulster Museum (it’s not about the Troubles – that’s a different museum)
- Crumlin Road Gaol (prison tour)
- St. Anne’s Cathedral
- Cave Hill Country Park
- W5 Belfast Science Museum
- Albert Memorial Clock
- The Peace Wall Murals
- Belfast City Hall (The Christmas market is amazing!)
- Don’t use Belfast Central Station; Victoria Station is more convenient for day trips from Belfast.
- Don’t worry about getting around; Belfast is very walkable and bikeable. Just use caution in the bike lanes as they don’t always make sense.
- Don’t think the Crown Bar is too touristy; it’s really fun!
- Don’t worry about busting your budget; Belfast is surprisingly affordable compared to other big European cities.
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Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Northern Ireland! With beautiful landscapes and coastlines, plus great food and culture, it’s a great place to visit. Want more travel tips for the United Kingdom? Check out some of our other blog posts: